The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OHIO.

Woodstock, o., Sept. s, 1SS7.-[To the
Editor of The UNIvERsAnIsT.] We are
very well pleased to report revival of
interest in Associational meetings, and
with proper effort on the part OF pastors
and churches, these organizations can be
made very excellent instrumentalities in
promoting local church work. The late
meeting of the Miami Association, at
Hamilton, although not as largely at
tended as in former years, was quite
success in regard to interest aroused.
Revs. E. F. Pember, W. s. Bacon, 81. L.
Garfield, and John Richardson were
present and assisted in the services.
Our Friends at Hamilton
now use the old Masonic Hall, which is
on the lot recently purchased. 1t is very
comfortable room and serves an excellent
purpose in furnishing place for holding
Sunday. school and other meetings, since
surrender of the old church to purchas-
ers. In due time the new church will be
erected and Universalism again assume
the prominence it should occupy in that
important town.
From the local papers we learn that
the ladies of our church in Springfield
are making earnest efforts to pay debt
which is somewhat in the way of prog
ress. When this is accomplished the
church will own one OF the best lots in
the city, and the subscription to the
building fund is sufficient to erect neat
chapel which would serve until larger
place of worship could be built. There is
no good reason why we should not have
strong church in Springfield.
Since the Convention last June, Rev.
81. l.. Garfield, State Superintendent,
has devoted large portion of his time to
looking after the interests OF pastorless
churches and encouraging them to re-
newed efforts in behalf OF the truth. We
have not space for detailed statement
of work done, but can assure our friends
that his time has been we'll epent, and
his labors will produce more than tempo
rary results. He is doing what he can to
induce churches unable to support pas.
tors to unite with others in circuits. The
chief difficulty, however, in the way of
that, is the unwillinRness OF churches to
accept services of available msn. But
there is growth in the right direction,
for which we thank God and take cour.
age.
We occasionally receive letters from
ministers in other States desiring infor.
nation concerning opportunities for set
Element in Ohio. While we aim to treat
all such communications courteously,
all interests of that kind will be bet.
ter served by addressing Rev. Ell. L.
Garfield, State Superintendent, at Belle
vile, 0. He is in possession of facts
concerning vacant churches essential to
be known by those seeking locations.
We have sent notices, requesting
payment to all subscribers to Permanent
Fund, either at Westyilie convention, or
to the Financial Agent We regret to
say that only small number have made
response in any way. We shall contin.
ne, however, to remind our friends of
their duty. Such subscriptions we're
made payable in a given time, which has
long since expired, and neglect TO pay
them works disappointment and disaster
to plans for work. This paragraph does
not refer to those who gave notes. Such
persons have generally been prompt in
payment when notes we're due.
The thirteenth annual reunion of the
Universalist churches of Plain City and
Alder Chapel, held at Converse's grove
was grand success in point Of interest
and attendance. The day was fine and
the people came together expecting
to be blessed in the services. There
were three services. AT $50 in the morn
ing there was a Sunday school meeting,
conducted by the pastor. After devo-
tional exercises the Lesson for the Day"
was read and expounded; then Rev. II.
L. Garfield SLEW his kite" to the instruc-
ton and amusement Of young and old.
The pastor then delivered "his Sunday
school address," which met with its usual
reception. This service is new feature
in these meetings, but we predict it will
be part OF the regular program hereafter.
At IL A. NJ the commodious tabernacle,